©Jomarc Nicolai Cala via Unsplash
At the Benedictine Abbey of Notre-Dame de Bellaigue in the French department of Puy-de-Dôme, an internal conflict has escalated into a kidnapping that has turned the monastery upside down. The abbot, Father Placide, was held captive for two days in late June, and upon his return, according to French media, he showed signs of severe physical abuse.
French authorities have opened a preliminary investigation into kidnapping and unlawful deprivation of liberty. Prosecutor Eric Serfass confirmed that the case may be linked to tensions surrounding the abbey’s leadership, where, according to local reports, Father Placide’s authority had long been a subject of debate. Father Placide disappeared on the night of June 23–24, shortly after he had announced via email that he intended to resign. Several monks did not trust that message and raised the alarm, prompting the gendarmerie to launch a large-scale search operation. Two days later, the priest was able to reestablish contact with the monastic community and was eventually found near a remote train station near Limoges, more than 150 kilometers from the abbey.
According to French media, this was not a random kidnapping, but a possible settling of scores within the community. A group of dissident monks was reportedly challenging the abbot’s authority, and some of them are said to have returned to the monastery on the evening of his disappearance. Furthermore, the Benedictines of Bellaigue have historically been known for their ties to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, a conservative Catholic movement that has been at odds with the Vatican for years. That movement came under fire again this summer when it consecrated four bishops without papal authorization. Rome viewed this as a schism and excommunicated the priests and laypeople involved. The challenge now facing the French police is to determine exactly who was behind the kidnapping and what motivated the violence against the abbot.
©Jomarc Nicolai Cala via Unsplash - illustrative image